The X Factor band - Kazeem Ajobo, Sterling Ramsey and Joey James - have been working on their debut album, and their debut single Street Love, a re-working on Anita Baker's 80s hit Sweet Love, will be released on June 29.

"Being signed to Epic makes everything worthwhile; all the hard work, all the grafting and difficult times makes this a magical and memorable moment that will live with us for years to come. We can finally take off the X Factor training wheels and enter the big industry," the trio said.

"Along with being signed to a huge major label, we are also excited and happy to announce that we will be releasing our first official single Street Love. We can't wait to hit stages everywhere and deliver performances to be remembered!!! How Epic is that?!" they added.

Mentored by Gary Barlow, the London-based trio were the last group in the competition, but they were sent home in the semi-finals of the last series.

They have encountered some troubles in the past - Kazeem was booted off the X Factor's live tour for bad behaviour, so his bandmates had to continue performing as a duo.

The 25-year-old, who has convictions for assault and drug possession, also missed out on the judges' houses stage last year when he failed to get a visa to perform at Gary's house in New York. But X Factor bosses gave him another chance and he was reunited with his bandmates for the live finals.